In fact, Mr. Netanyahu has called for face-to-face negotiations with President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority without preconditions for more than a year; the proximity talks were Mr. Abbas's device for avoiding direct talks.

The editorial also empathizes with Mr. Abbas's doubts whether Israel will address ''Palestinian concerns about borders, security, refugees and the future of Jerusalem.'' This statement, however, ignores Israel's attempts, in 2000 and 2008, to address all of these issues definitively only to be rebuffed by Palestinian leaders, including Mr. Abbas.

Finally, the editorial describes Israel's prime minister as a ''master manipulator'' without adducing the slightest evidence to support this charge. While any call for direct talks contributes to the peace process, personal affronts are unhelpful. Israel appreciates President Obama's efforts to persuade the Palestinian leadership to enter direct negotiations and to achieve the permanent and secure peace to which Israel is committed.